New Year Greetings from Museum Director Barbara Bundy


FIDM Museum Director Barbara Bundy, Curator Kevin Jones, Associate Curator Christina Johnson at the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence, November 2012.


Dear Friends,
January presents the perfect moment for both reflection and anticipation. 2012 was an exciting year for the FIDM Museum & Galleries. We are looking forward to a fabulous 2013.


Some of the highlights from 2012 included our 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design exhibition, where we were honored to display costumes from all the films nominated for the Best Costume Design Academy Award. To celebrate this milestone exhibition, we included glorious relics from Hollywood’s Golden Era. The costumes from the nominated films, together with treasures that included Fred Astaire’s dance shoes, drew our largest crowds to date.


The 6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design, again organized by costume designer Mary Rose, current president of the Costume Designers Guild, offered a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the variety of high quality programming now available on television. We are eagerly anticipating our 7th annual exhibition next summer.


We really broke new ground with our last exhibition of the year, RIPPED: Expressions from the Underground. If you missed the live punk rock concert at the opening party, I hope you were able to see the handmade T-shirts that have had such an impact on street wear design.


Our loan program to other museums has continued to expand. In addition, members of our museum staff have been invited to present research and scholarly papers at institutions around the world. We were delighted to make several presentations in Atlanta at the Costume Society of America National Symposium this past spring. That was after Kevin Jones had collected, from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, our treasured embroidered white mull gown worn by Grace Kelly in The Swan (1956) in order to deliver it to Australia to be part of the Grace Kelly: Style Icon exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery.


Princess Charlene of Monaco (pictured in the pink and silver dress) traveled to Australia to open the exhibition. Here she views the FIDM Museum dress worn by her late mother-in-law.


Barely home from the Costume Society of America symposium, Kevin Jones and Christina Johnson (our curator and associate curator, respectively) flew back to London to present research at another conference, The Making of a Monarchy for a Modern World.


For the next big trip, to Florence, Italy, I joined Kevin and Christina for the Costume Colloquium III. Christina, one of just 40 scholars from 22 countries, presented her paper, “Doris Langley Moore: Ultimate ‘Woman in Fashion.” Her presentation drew on the Helen Larson Archive, which is part of the Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection. We have launched our fundraising campaign as part of our efforts to acquire this world-class collection. The FIDM Museum Fashion Council, a volunteer group that provides support to the Museum, has been a large part of this effort.


The Fashion Council welcomes new members, and is currently planning lectures and fundraising events for 2013. It will be an exciting year for the Council, so stay tuned. For more information about becoming involved, please contact Fashion Council Chair Mima Ransom at or call (949) 244-7977.


Looking forward, in 2013 the FIDM Museum will be loaning objects for two important exhibitions on the East Coast. Fred Astaire’s custom-made tuxedo, top hat, and shoes will be shown in Artist/ Rebel/ Dandy: Men of Fashion at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art from April 28 through August 18, 2013. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston exhibition, Hippie Chic, from July 2 through November 11, 2013 will feature six late 1960s garments from our permanent collection. Photographs of the FIDM Museum’s objects will be featured in the corresponding exhibition catalogue.


Tunic; Sidereal Time, Inc., Los Angeles, CA; 1967; Printed cotton, rayon ribbons; Gift of Jay Hampel; FIDM Museum Collection; 2007.801.5


Pants; Levi Strauss & Co., San Francisco, CA; 1967; Suede leather; Gift of Jay Hampel; FIDM Museum Collection; 2007.801.4


High profile loans and participation in international museum, costume, and fashion events heighten the global awareness of our institution. This helps fulfill a key component of our mission to provide students, educators, scholars, and industry personnel with a world-class costume and textile resource, and to explore and examine the role of costumes and textiles in their relationship to society and history.


2013 will be another exciting year of new collaborations, stunning exhibitions, and museum firsts. The 21st Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design, opening on February 12, is our first exhibition of the New Year. We look forward to seeing you there.


On behalf of the museum staff, let me thank you for your enthusiasm and support. The FIDM Museum & Galleries will continue to develop as a vital presence both in our community and beyond.


With regards,

Barbara Bundy
Director, FIDM Museum & Galleries
Vice President Education, FIDM

   

FIDM Museum Shop Presents: Gilda Grey: Gilded, Modern & Inspired


The FIDM Museum Shop is delighted to now offer Gilda Grey jewelry. Seen in top retailers and major fashion publications, Gilda Grey is the result of the artistic collaboration between two FIDM graduates, Cali Horton and Erica Walker.


Cali Horton (L) & Erica Walker (R)


Born on opposite coasts, they met in California and quickly bonded over their life-long love of art, fashion, and music. The Gilda Grey brand represents an “ever-evolving muse finding inspiration in contemporary and folk art, youth culture, and refined craftsmanship.”



The partners founded Gilda Grey in late 2009, once they realized they were each other’s design counterparts. Not only did they share the joys of thrift store shopping and rummaging through their grandmothers’ jewelry boxes, but also a common love for 1920s cinema, art, and music.



Giving birth to Gilda Grey was the logical next step in their creative relationship, a natural evolution from where they were in their individual apparel design careers. Their values were also a perfect fit. Both wanted to create a company that supported the local community, specifically Los Angeles. Cali and Erica believe it is important to design and manufacture their products the USA.


When asked why they chose to do a jewelry line instead of apparel, they responded, “We wanted to bring our artistic vision to something that could be passed down from generation to generation. Jewelry can often be viewed as a visual time machine of where our culture has evolved from and where it is going. We are continuously finding inspiration from our contemporary world while paying homage to our love of the past.”


And, what is it like designing with a partner? “Handcrafting jewelry is timeless, personal, and indulges our artistic appetites. At the end of the day, we first have to impress each other before an idea gets out the door. By having two perspectives constantly critiquing, we have embraced an infinite platform for creative process. We also love that we don’t have the limitations of size gradation, so we can cater to all different types of women!”


When asked, do you have any advice for aspiring jewelry designers? “Don’t forget to enjoy the journey. We have learned that humor is a great backdrop for creativity and when in doubt, add color.”



Visit the FIDM Museum Shop for a fabulous selection of one-of-a-kind jewelry, amazing treasures, and exclusive gifts. See why the shop has been voted “Most Unique Store” for the past 3 years by Los Angeles Downtown News.


The FIDM Museum Shop is open Monday–Friday from January 2nd–25th. Closed from January 26–February 3rd.



Exhibitions



  • A Century of Cotton: Selections from The Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection, 1800–1900
  • Larson Gallery
  • February 12, 2013
  • Exhibition Hours
  • Tuesday–Saturday
  • 10am–5pm
  • Admission
  • Free to the Public

 
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